The whole point of a Request for Quote is to compare suppliers fairly. But a loose RFQ produces responses in different formats, with different assumptions, quoting different things — and now you're comparing apples to oranges in a spreadsheet.
What a good RFQ includes
- A precise specification. Exact quantities, standards, and any tolerances. Ambiguity here is where quotes diverge.
- Delivery requirements. Where, when, and in what increments.
- Commercial terms. Payment terms, warranty, and any compliance you require.
- A fixed response format. Ask everyone to quote the same line items the same way.
- A deadline and your evaluation criteria. Tell suppliers how you'll decide — it focuses their responses.
Send it identically
Same scope, same document, same deadline, to every supplier. The discipline of a uniform RFQ is exactly what makes the responses comparable — and what lets you defend the decision later.
You can't compare quotes fairly if you didn't ask the same question. The RFQ is the question.
Issuing consistent RFQs and comparing responses side by side is what SourceWright is built to do.